Submitted: 7/16/2019

Word Count: 786

✦ A u t h o r ' s  N o t e ✦

I apologize for the late update. Work has been kicking me in the arse, but I'll upload more consistently since I'm not gonna be working anymore this week. Just writing over 700 words already got me pooped out. That's when you know you're drained, lmfao. But don't worry, I actually really enjoyed writing this.

━━━━❰･❱━━━━

   Without stopping, the two young pokémon scampered along with their forelegs. They dodged any leaves from the forest's undergrowth. Markus struggled to keep the sachet along with his back as they journeyed along the forest. The strap then wrapped around his leg, making him trip. He fumbled along the ground, his green world whirling in circles.

   "Martha help!" Markus cried.

   "I-I'll try!" She latched onto his tail, only to be whipped right into him.

   The two continued to tumble downhill until they hit against a wooden stand. They separated onto the ground upon impact.

   Markus rubbed his throbbing head before going over to Martha and helping her up. "Are you okay?"

   "Yeah, I'm fine." She wiped any leaves off her bushy tail. "It looks like we made it to the market." She looked up at the wooden stand they had bumped up against. 

   There were numerous ones aligned beside it, about six others to be exact. They were only a few feet tall. Yes, it's only that small amount fo stands, but it's a market to forest pokémon standards. Tall pokémon had to hunch down while smaller ones had to hop up to see above the counter.  Covers made from fur were draped over the stands, signifying that the market was closed. Except one of the stand owners were present.

   "I heard a thud out here." Jonathan the Floatzel popped his head out from under the covers from his stand. His squinted his eyes as he surveilled the area until they landed on the due. "Phew, I thought you'd never come back. Do you have the berries?" 

   "Yeah, dad, I have them," Markus said as he looked at his satchel.

   "Good, good! Come in quick before anyone sees." The Floatzel raised up the cover and let the two scamper inside his stand. He placed cover down.

   Inside, a small candle on a clay plate lit the underneath. Its tiny flame flickered, making their malformed shadows shake non stop. Since it wasn't so bright, only a portion of the stand had constant light. 

    "Now, show me what you got," Jonathan said eagerly.

    Markus took his satchel off his back and handed it over to him. The Floatzel dove his hands into the satchel, pulled out each one, and then carefully placed them down on the ground. He noted each berry type and their quantities. 

    His attention focused on the Pech berries. He grabbed one and held it close to the flame. He gave it a soft squeeze. "Nicely ripe. No bruises. Healthy peach fuzz all around. Just marvelous. He murmured. "Pecha berries are so hard to found around here, especially at a high quality. Where did you get these?"

   "They're from Asher's trees. I barely made it out," Markus said.

   "Yeah, and I had to save his sorry arse!" Martha added with a snicker, which earned her a playful smirk from the Bruizel.

   "You stole from Asher, the leader of the Honchrows by the river bed? Well shit, that's an achievement right there!" Jonathan laughed. "Ooohoho, Markus, you make one hell of a berry snatcher! I'm so lucky to have you, haha!"

   Markus frowned at the name. Yeah, he could have been considered the best berry thief in the forest, but he didn't desire that title. His father didn't even give credit to Martha, who helped him get away from the crazy Honchrow. She was the last thing he ever thought of anyway.

    Jonathan said, "Asher does have the best berries, being that his trees always have access to water. Being by a riverbed has its benefits surely. That old coot surely loves to guard his precious berries to death. Hell, I don't blame him. With berries like that, I'd be like that too." 

   Out of the blue, a squawk pierced their ears.

   "Arceus, is it what I think it is?" Jonathan poked his head out from the covers and scanned the area. He looked up to see a Chatot on top of the highest tree branch in the market. It continued to squawk, its horrid voice reaching far and wide. 

    "That's the signal. The market is about to open. Let's get going!" Jonathan went back inside his stand and started assembling his things. He looked down at two. "Markus, it's time. Tell your little friend goodbye." 

   "Yes, father." Markus went over to Martha and hugged her. She snuggled up against him as he savored her in his arms. "Stay safe, alright?" 

   "Don't worry, I'll be safe. Who would play with electricity anyways?" She giggled and rubbed his tail underneath his chin before scampering off.

   The Buizel smiled. "You're a strong Pachirisu. I know you can defend yourself." He then went off to help with his father.

━━━━❰･❱━━━━

✦ Next Update ✦

Friday